hashtag #Hijabstylist

It was such a thrilled and with great honour to be invited by the famous Malaysian Fashion Stylist, Calvin Cheong to create 5 hijab styling and Muslimah looks for Kenanga Wholesale City Fashion Mall (the biggest and first fashion wholesale mall in Kuala Lumpur) commercial photo shoots last Monday.

The concepts was basically to have our model in 5 different Muslimah looks while ‘shopping’ at the mall.

Pre-shopping were made the day before (with Calvin himself) and gosh! it took us almost 6 hours to complete the 5-7 looks ( we took extras in case last min changes). Our main challenge was to source out for the dresses and props in such a HUGE place ! phewww… 😀

The tasks given to Top2ToeStyliesta as #hijabstylist covered everything from choosing the best fashion & styles, matched with the right color shawls, props with handbags and shoes, plus accessories too!

Since we are required to come out with 5 different Muslimah looks, eventually we had the most ‘dramatic’ and bold modern jubah as the main ‘character’, ‘urban and chic’ shopper, lady in ‘working attire’, stylish turbanista in kebaya , sweet and modest muslimah in tunic chiffon blouse and mermaid skirt.

Meet Moniki from Brazil..

Our model for the day…

Which then, i turned her look into ..

Okay, well…yeah, she’s tall (obviously!) haha..

Pretty, isn’t she??

We had so much fun at the photo shoots, trying to get the best shots ..

The principles or elements to create the styles for Monik was simply focused on

1. Her 5 characters and fashion/styles to fit in

2. Her body figure and height (since she’s not a Malaysian, we figure out she needs an outfit that is long enough)

3. Style story – what’s her style story and how to create a good combination for both dress and her shawls. The color plays a major role here.

4. The dress /outfit must be simple and not too cluttered as she needs to be ‘seen’ shopping at the malls with lots of stuff around.

5. Props – with shoes, handbags , and simple accessories to add to the ‘scene’.

Monik had been so supportive and professional … #thegirlinhijab

Then i changed her into a turbanista in modern kebaya ..

The last look we had for the day… yeayy, finally!!!

Me, as the Stylist and Image Consultant

*****

For any Hijab Styling & Personal Image Consultation , contact us directly at

Setting The Global Standard for Professional Image and Etiquette

Top2ToeStyliesta Image Consulting is proudly to introduce the Institute Image Training and Testing International – (IITTI pronounced as “ET“) to our Business Image & Etiquette programs in Malaysia!

IITTI – a non-profit, open-source, educational organization formed by seasoned, certified image and etiquette consultants from the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI); the world’s largest professional body of personal and corporate image consultants and was formed due to a recognized need for standardized business etiquette guidelines.

IITTI offers a standardized testing and certification structure that image, etiquette and civility trainers can use as an independent assessment tool with their clients. Employers today can utilize this examination as a measure to determine knowledge and understanding of business etiquette standards, and the personal grooming practices of their personnel or job applicants.

IITTI is a business etiquette certification exam system and it conforms to the highest international standards of business image and business/social etiquette in North America and Europe. The corporate image certification is designed specifically for business use.

The certification system consists of three exam levels which include a written and/or practicum component. For each level, exam candidates must pass all its components in order to earn an IITTI certificate for that level.

The IITTI exam is designed by a group of world-renowned image and etiquette consulting authorities, and education experts specializing in curriculum development and assessment design. The test is designed for corporate application and focuses on corporate etiquette. As such, it would be suitable for any corporate environment where the employer is eager to improve the quality of their organization’s brand and professional image, internationally.

Who Benefits Most from this Certification?

EMPLOYEES

Anyone who works in an organization that requires strong interpersonal skills and is needed to deal with people in a professional manner. For example, marketing managers, PR representatives, accountants, engineers, architects, lawyers, systems analysts, company board of directors, CEOs, VPs, executive assistants, secretaries, receptionists, special events coordinators, corporate trainers, hotel managers, etc.

It was reported in late 2013, that a huge number of 434, 100 graduates or 3.3% of total Malaysian labour that are JOBLESS. Should the post graduate students or job seekers equipped themselves with the knowledge in Image Management & Etiquette prior to entering the workforce , the numbers could have been reduced – today!

Remember: Don’t believe that you can just pick up an etiquette book to learn and pass the IITTI test. Good manners and personal grooming require practice over a long period of time. You should find a reputable image consulting school who has training classes specifically for the IITTI test. They can help you practice in an appropriate environment and reinforce many of the concepts for good decorum.

How Could We , the Image Consultants Contribute To You?

As an internationally certified and accredited Professional Image & Color Consultant by the world renownedLondon Image Institute, cum the Associate member to IITTI ; who aspires to educate every individual and organization by creating an awareness on the importance of your total image and business etiquette, we realised that currently in Malaysia there are no standards for companies or higher learning institutes to effectively measure soft skills in the area of personal appearance, social etiquette and civil communication for admitting new hires, student applicants or even the employees.

With the standardise tests and certification structure developed by IITTI , it brings to a whole new level in recognising the right candidates for your organisations and reward the employees accordingly!

When i first discovered this World Hijab Day page in November last year, I just knew that I need to be part of this movement. Reading through the inspirational stories by the founder, sister Nazma Khan who resides in Bronx New York on the idea to create this global awareness, it took me in no time, but emailed them on my interest.

As the Image Consultant to Madeena Muslimah Fashion Wear by Mizz Nina, we hinted this upcoming worldwide event to Mizz Nina and Alhamdulillah, she accepted it and agree to hold a pre WHD event, giving the reason that she will not be around to join on the 1st February 2014.

Why World Hijab Day ?

“This life is too short to hold grudges or hate toward each other. At the end of day we are all part of one big family called the human race. I pray that a movement like World Hijab Day gives us an opportunity to learn to be tolerant of each other by accepting and respecting each others differences. It is only through tolerance and understanding we can coexist peacefully. I invite all of you to join in my quest to have 1 million participants for the next World Hijab Day on upcoming February the first by spreading the word. It is only through working together we can achieve to have a local form of World Hijab Day in as many cities, states ,countries, and continents as possible. Lets start a World Hijab Day revolution: A tool for tolerance understanding and peace.”-Nazma Khan, Founder of World Hijab Day

“World Hijab Day is such an important event and movement to help spread peace and awareness about the beauty of modesty with the hijab, to our Muslim sisters who wish to take the first step in wearing the hijab, let it be not a day but forever, Insha-Allah, and to our non-Muslim sisters, we welcome you to a day of embracing the hijab. We want the world to see and understand that by wearing the hijab, it is non- oppressive, but rather a freedom of expression to uphold our Islamic beliefs as a Muslimah (Muslim women).”

From the Ambassador of World Hijab Day Kuala Lumpur

The Beauty of Hijab

Personally, I would understand the feeling of a new hijabi who may have interest to embrace hijab but somehow they are afraid or stuck in between because they couldn’t grasp the idea that you may still look beautiful even without having to flaunt the hair. It took me years because i love having free hair and beautify it , with hair colouring, highlights, hair rebonding, etc too! Even I could say , I have spent thousands of dollars for my hair since past 14 years! Crazy , i know 😦

However, 2011 is the year, i took this first step – just a week before Ramadhan (on a Friday afternoon during lunch break) , i was following a colleague to look for her new hijab. And to my surprise, i returned to office, with a hijab on my head, happily and proudly (subhanAllah!!). From that moment, i have vowed to myself, that I would want to be a better muslimah, dunya and thereafter (akhirat) insyaaAllah.

When I was accepted by World Hijab Day, as the Ambassador of Kuala Lumpur – only God knows how lucky and blessed I was. I knew that I may not be able to give 100% commitment but as the servant of Allah swt and people of our Prophet, Muhammad Rasullullah saw, deep down in my heart, and for my deen, I must be part of it, and I will.

This will not happened without the blessings of Allah swt, alhamdulillah.

Here’s to some of the pictures we had prior to and during the event…

One of the weekends…

Shopping for the tudung/shawl/hijabs!

Friday 24th January 2014

We gathered at The Amcorp Mall in Petaling Jaya, with the Ambassadors from Terengganu and Melaka who came all the way to support us! Thank you sisters!

Coming from the Image Consultancy background, I have offered to Mizz Nina to extend my talk ‘Setting the Look on Today’s Trendy Muslimah’ because we understand that in Malaysia, we are not so much being oppressed or subjugated, never heard of a case that we muslims are being attacked because of our hijabs. Though we can’t deny there are minor cases which may be highlighted in the news, lately. Hence, this is where we believed the important role of World Hijab Day as a platform to create this Global Awareness, even among Malaysian. ‘Setting the Look on Today’s Trendy Muslimah’ is somehow an awareness created to all hijabis , non hijabis, non-muslims out there, that this particular program is not all about Hijab Styling, Hijab Fashion, Hijab Trends. We had that covered in many other events by the celebrities, hijab boutiques. Somehow we feel that many still do not understand the ‘gist’ of “What is Your Image’ is all about, and how it could give positive or negative impact to you as an individual. It is quite pitiful to see the ignorance of Malaysian people when it comes to dressing . Well, i can’t deny that Malaysians donned their best when it comes to ‘fashion’ but they seems lost in finding their true personality hence easily trapped as a Fashion Victim. We have witnessed this, in most magazines, on the street, social media – instagram, Facebook , blogs, etc. A study by Dr Albert Mehrabian concluded that there are 3 basic elements of effective communication , which is 55% of it will be your Appearance & Body Language, 38% for the way you sound and ONLY 7% based on the words that you use.

Saturday 25th January 2014

Venue : The Singing Shop, Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya

Time : 3pm – 6pm

The AGENDA

These are the shawls / tudung / hijab which we used for our demo and given as a token to each and every participants!

Setting The Look for Today’s Trendy Muslimah was aimed to teach others on the importance of their personal image, that must be congruent with the personal brand values and accomplishments. These elements must be consistent in order to achieve a positive first impression and professional presence at all times. And that is our MISSION at Top2ToeStyliesta Image Consulting.

Although it was a short program, we came out with learning experience on the impact of portraying positive appearance , how to identify your undertones (warm or cool), your face shapes and the elements to consider when shopping for your hijab. It is again, an in depth knowledge of creating your personal brand as a hijabi. Not like any other stereotype hijab styling session, we could promise you that…